USMNT: 6 Takeaways From USA v. Colombia

Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

4.  Possession, Possession, Possession

Once again the United States was plagued today by bad touches, bad passes, and unforced errors.  The lack of a true dribbling threat who demands respect from opposing defenses (cough cough Landon Donovan) means the United States will constantly be under high press when they play world class defenses.   And they lack the passing prowess to counter this kind of pressure, as we saw today.  The team that was heralded to be ever-evolving in its playing style, supposedly becoming more European-like in all aspects and being more efficient/artistic than ever before looks nothing like that. If anything, they’ve reverted to the ways of 2010, playing defensive-minded with little to no creativity on the ball and unable to string together 8 or 9 meaningful passes to advance the ball up field.